Installing your swimming pool is only the initial step of pool ownership. Once that thing is filled with water, you will need to put in the time and effort to ensure both the water and the pool remain safe for swimming. Problems in a pool can become quite costly and difficult to resolve. It is better by far to head those problems off at the pass with some basic preventative measures. Just like your body needs a yearly visit to the doctor to stay healthy, your swimming pool requires regular check-ups to keep it motoring along as well. Follow these tips to give your pool a good once over regularly.

Test the Water

You will probably be using home testing kits to check your water once or twice a week during the swimming season. However, a professional test is also a good idea periodically. These tests look for more potential problems than your home test can. Plus, you have the benefit of professional advice right away if you water doesn't prove to be as balanced as it should. Most pool retailers will offer this service to their customers, making it easy to find professional testing right in your area.

Inspect Equipment

A quick once-over of your pool equipment will help to ensure problems are dealt with early before further damage can occur. Check over the following for cracks, leaks or other signs of damage:

• Pump basket
• Skimmer basket
• O-rings
• Filter
• Heater
• Ladders and diving boards

By checking your equipment regularly, you can head problems off at the pass. It is also a good idea to run your heater once in a while during the hottest part of the year, just to make sure it still works properly.

Clean your Cleaner

The filter in automatic cleaners can become clogged with dirt and debris so your automatic cleaner doesn't work as efficiently as it should. It is also important to check your pool filter for the same reason. Even if you are backwashing regularly (and you should be!), your filter can become overloaded during the busiest part of the season. A clogged filter puts undue wear and tear on your machinery that can even result in burning out the motor on occasion.

A Safety Check

A safety check is an important component to your complete swimming pool check-up. All deck equipment like slides, diving boards and ladders should be inspected for loose and rusty bolts. Loose safety equipment is a danger to everyone in your pool. Check your diving board for potential cracks and splinters as well. It is cheaper to replace a board than to deal with injuries related to your pool equipment! Take a look at your safety cover as well to make sure the anchors are still secure in your pool deck and there is no damage to the cover itself.

Regular pool check-ups are easy to do and they can save you a lot of headache in the long run. By performing regular maintenance like this, you can rest assured your pool will remain a safe, clean place for your family to enjoy.